Suzanne Hargreaves, a physical education teacher for 26 years before working at Education Scotland, shares her experiences of navigating considerable changes to the physical education curriculum in the Scottish school system that are closely aligned to, and in some instances informed, the recent changes to school physical education in Ireland. Suzanne will share her experiences of dealing with the reality of such changes as a physical education teacher. She will consider how her work as a Senior Education Officer with Education Scotland heightens her awareness of the plights of physical education teachers as they negotiate unprecedented changes in school physical education provision. Suzanne will also consider the extent to which evidence has been collected in the Scottish context to inform support practices and structures to those dealing with such changes in school physical education.

10.30am - 11am - Principles of effective assessment

This session will share what research determines as principles of effective assessment and examples of such in international physical education contexts. The focus will then turn to focusing on the assessment of Irish school physical education given the recent introduction of classroom-based assessments, portfolios, written exams, practical performance and physical activity project.

This session will provide updates on current research and initial findings being undertaken in primary physical education, junior cycle physical education, SCPE and LCPE. This will not only update attendees on current research activity but also begin to identify further research opportunities as we continue to understand and evaluate the reality of teaching Irish physical education curricula. The session will also encourage consideration of associated changes that need to be made in Irish physical education teacher education programmes.

This session will encourage attendees to consider opportunities to undertake small-scale research projects aligned to their ongoing experiences with teaching physical education. Some examples of such research will be shared with attendees. Consideration will also be given to how teachers wishing to undertake such work could gain recognition for their work under the Cosán, the national framework for teachers’ learning.

The Children’s Sport Participation and Physical Activity Study (CSPPA17-18) – Cormac Powell, University of Limerick; Catherine Woods, University of Limerick; Jean Saunders, University of Limerick; Sarahjane Belton, Dublin City University, Wesley O’Brien, University College Cork, and Marie Murphy, University of Ulster

Students, Teachers and School Management Perceptions of the Student Led Approach in the Post-primary Schools Active School Flag Programme – Fiona McHale, University of Limerick; Kwok Ng, University of Limerick; Catherine Norton, University of Limerick; Donal O’Shea, University College Dublin; Catherine Woods, University of Limerick

An Evaluation of the Year 3 Implementation of Project Spraoi on the Health of Irish Children: A Step Back Approach - Conor Hammersley, Cork Institute of Technology

Group 2:

The Influence of Within-sport Specialisation on Performance and Retention in Track and Field Athletics in the United Kingdom - Philip Kearney, University of Limerick; Tom Comyns, University of Limerick; and Philip Hayes, Northumbria University, UK

Factors and Actions to Prevent Dropout in Youth Sport: Results of a Rapid Review and Expert Opinions - Joey Murphy, University of Limerick; Catherine Woods, University of Limerick; Dorien Dijk, Centre for Sport Netherlands; and Jan Seghers, KU Leuven

Including Students with Disabilities in Post Primary PE: An Exploration of Student and Teacher Voices - Ona McGrath, University College Cork

Action Research in Physical Education: One Teacher’s Approach to Inclusion of a Child with SEN - Catherine Mc Bride, St. Patrick’s BNS; Susan Marron and Frances Murphy, St. Patrick’s College, Dublin City University

Moving Physical Education to Greater Prominence in Primary Schools. A Case study on the Implementation of the Active Schools’ Flag Programme in a Primary School - Muireann Kelleher and Bronagh McGrane, Dublin City University

The Efficacy of the Project FLAME Intervention in the Development of Adolescent PL - Brian Donovan, University College Cork; Wesley O’Brien, University College Cork; Sarahjane Belton, Dublin City University

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Our Mission

To use high-quality, multi-disciplinary and multi-entity research to shape, influence and inform policy and practice relating to advancing the health and well-being of populations in the areas of physical education, sport, physical activity and health.